Zito on seven years in SF: “It’s been 95 percent great, and the other five was terrible.”

Barry Zito was sitting in his car at a Century City gas station when the phone call came in. He was already famous, already a Cy Young winner and already dating actresses. As his agent spoke, Zito found out that he was also, at 28 years old, the richest pitcher in baseball history.

Zito’s agent informed him that the Giants had agreed to a seven-year, $126 million deal. Soon, Giants general manager Brian Sabean called.

“Sabean told me to tattoo that number on my forehead the day I got here and signed,” Zito said Wednesday. “I didn’t quite know what that meant, but then I found out. I found out.”

One Barry was on the way out, one was coming in to lead the Giants back to the postseason. But it never quite worked out. Zito was on the sidelines when the Giants did win that title, and he spent his final years in San Francisco on the edge of the rotation. He was so out of whack in the spring of 2012 that the Giants left him in Scottsdale when they broke camp. Zito, entering his 13th season, faced teenagers at the club’s minor league facility as his teammates headed back for California.

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That seemed to be the end for the left-hander, but with Eric Surkamp hurt and no other options, the Giants turned back to Zito. He shocked even his coaches when he threw a shutout at Coors Field in his first start of the 2012 season. Months later, Zito turned in one of the best performances in franchise history. He held the Cardinals scoreless over 7 2/3 innings, prolonging a season that would end with another parade down Market Street.

That’s where #RallyZito was born. It returned on Wednesday.

“Really, the Rally Zito?” Zito said, eyes lighting up. “That was one of the best days ever last year.”
In the two months before Wednesday’s farewell start, Zito was twice pulled from the rotation. He would do early cardio with the relief pitchers, then go out on his own to hone his mechanics. He was rarely used, but stayed ready. On Tuesday, pitching coach Dave Righetti told Zito that he would start Wednesday night’s game.

“To be able to get this one against the Dodgers and do it at home and come out and see the fans one more time, it’s very special,” Zito said.

He didn’t waste the opportunity, giving up just one earned run over five innings to earn his first win since May 30. Zito lost 80 games in orange and black, but he was the winning pitcher Wednesday. Afterward, he was asked to sum up seven up and down years. Zito paused and tugged on his t-shirt. He wore a backwards hat and no shoes, forever the SoCal kid who plays guitar and can’t wait to surf now that he’s not under contract.

Zito talked about the highs: He got married, found Christianity and won two World Series titles. He talked about the lows: He lost both his parents, lost his rotation spot and dealt with a family situation this summer that he labeled as “pretty heavy.”

“I knew it was going to be a heck of a ride, on the field an off,” he said. “It’s certainly been that for me. There have been some ups and downs, to say the least. It’s been such a cool situation, getting to know everyone here in San Francisco.

“I came over to the big city side these last seven, and it’s been a lot. It’s been 95 percent great, and the other five was terrible.”

Zito laughed as he said that last part. Later, he laughed again while recounting how after some of the rough starts, he thought he would never again be able to show his face in San Francisco.

“I was a little worried,” he said. “There are such great spots here and hangs. To be honest, I definitely had my stages where I was expecting to just get worn out by fans. I was surprised they still supported me. They just really embraced the fact that we all came together last year.”

Zito looked across the room as the media began to disperse. Buster Posey was talking with Angel Pagan, the man who is scheduled to hit in front of Posey for three more years. The Brandons are cornerstones, too, and they got dressed in one corner. Matt Cain’s locker was on Zito’s right, Madison Bumgarner’s on the left. Both will be here for years to come.

Zito is done in San Francisco, but he’s left his mark on the clubhouse with the way he handled 2010 and all the rough times.

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“There’s been a lot of stuff he could have complained about and I’ve never heard him say a negative word about anything,” Bumgarner said. “He’s a lot tougher than people realize. He’s a gentleman in the game, and a competitor.”

Zito said the attitude all started with his late father, Joseph, who always told his son that all a man has is his word.

“This game is funny,” Zito said, shaking his head. “When you’re playing well, you can get away with so much. That’s not how life is, you know what I mean? It was my goal to never buy into that. The game kind of tells you a lie that you can go around with no class, no character, no integrity and just be really flaky and say you’re going to do things and then you don’t. That happens a lot in this game.

“There’s a sense of entitlement when you’re playing well. For me to keep things in perspective and always be true to my character and morals and body, that’s what I was focused on.”

Alex Pavlovic

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I can’t say Zito was ever really my favorite pitcher, but I always admired the way he went about his business and never stopped believing in himself or his teammates. That got us to the World Series last year where he out-dueled Verlander and that ain’t nothing.

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

Nice piece Alex.

Apologies on the last thread. Somehow I got stats wrong, by not selecting all Zito’s years in SF. I’ve corrected it.

This is the end of an era… A 4.63 ERA.
Barry Zito’s 63-80, 196 GS, 1.44 WHIP, 4.63 ERA.

What a weird and wild ride it’s been. He did always prepare and hardly missed a start. Often we might’ve wished we could skip his starts… Oh yeah, there’s the jewelry. Like two rings. I won’t miss him, but I’ve enjoyed going to some games he’s started (still furious and raging- bit- about the quick-switch Bochy pulled on Bumgarner for this game).

Maybe he can enjoy a year off.
Wife, surf, zen, guitar. Not necessarily in that order. I’m happy the contract hasn’t changed his character, or him as a person. It’s the end of an ERA (4.63?!).

I think we can all wish him well. Ok.
See? I’ve already moved on.

pacman68

Dude won 15 games last year and beat Reds, Cards and Verlander. Zeets earned every penny in my mind. I don’t care if he was payed a billion dollars for 100 years. The dude helped win us the WS. There is no price tag for Championships.

FuriousAndRagingCarmot

A hit! And an RBI!

JC Chuta

Some people suffering from lack of reality. Zito will go down as one of the worst signings ever made in Baseball! For what Giants payed him, he should have had several 20 Win seasons, should have earned at least 2 Cy Young Awards. He was a bust and is the “Jamarcus Russell” of Baseball. Let’s get real here, Geez!!!

WillieMaysField

It was great being able to chant barry, barry, Barry! at the parade. His start against the Cardinals on the road will always be a one of the greatest moments in Giants history. Then to beat Verlander when everyone gave no shot.

Matthew

This isn’t about his signing..learn how to separate the man from his agent and team…this points to what a good teammate and humble worker he was. You, of course, trot out the tired response of ” worst signing”. That is for a different target, not Barry

South City Jim

Sorry, terrible comparison. Russell was a punk and the Raiders weren’t even competitive when he was there.

orngendblck

Speaking as a fan, having Zito as a Giant, for me was 5% great and 95% terrible.

JC Chuta

He was not hired to be a nice guy you idiot, he was hired to win games! If it were up to you, SF would hire Ryan Siechrest to be clean-up hitter….just because he’s a nice guy! You “Miss”, are obviously someone who knows nothing about Sports!

E-B

Great story Alex–thx!

Zito’s got true grit and character, but in a very refined, quiet way.

——————————
As for the huge contract he signed 7 yrs ago–well, if ya don’t like it, blame those who offered it to him; not the guy who was offered the deal.

Matthew

He was hired to give his best, be ready, AND be a leader…he did all of that, Mensa…you are clearly the czar of all sports.

jacobwang

I’d nearly reverse those numbers

Brad Leidecker

Here’s a new perspective on the $18M average annual salary that will help you sleep better at night:
1) What number would make the contract seem Aaron Rowandesque and not “the worst of all time?”
2) Let’s say Zito should have received $12M per year (same as Rowand) – agreed still grossly overpaid but not horrendous.
3) At this rate the Giants threw away $6M per year or $42M over 7 years. $42M is a lot easier to swallow than the $126M many grumble about.
4) What is $6M per year or $42M worth?
5) 16 straight Giants victories when Zito started albeit a lot has to happen out of his control
6) Keep in mind Lincecum made $18M in 2012 with a 5+ era and $22M in 2013. No ill will against Timmy, just saying.
7) A great first half to 2010 and terrible second half but a respectable 5th starter line of 9–14 with a 4.15 ERA
8) A masterful NLCS game 5 at STL including an RBI bunt single
9) Outdueling Verlander in WS game 1
10) The Giants don’t win a second world championship without him. Fact. #rallyzito
Now don’t you feel better? Boom!